prohibition
noun
pro·hi·bi·tion
ˌprō-ə-ˈbi-shən 
also
ˌprō-hə-
1
: the act of prohibiting by authority
2
: an order to restrain or stop
3
often Prohibition
: the forbidding by law of the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcoholic liquors except for medicinal and sacramental purposes
Examples of prohibition in a Sentence
the city's prohibition of smoking in restaurants
a prohibition against parking on the street
Recent Examples on the Web
Other cruise lines are altering itineraries to route around places affected by the temporary prohibition.
—
Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
Managers at various locations have already lifted prohibitions on hunting stands that damage trees and training hunting dogs, using vehicles to retrieve animals and hunting along trails, according to an NPCA review of site regulations the organization recently performed after learning of the order.
—Todd Richmond, Twin Cities, 8 May 2026
The Orange County Board of Supervisors passed a prohibition on the sale, distribution or possession of synthetic kratom products last year.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
Even felons — the Menendez brothers for example, and the late Jeffrey Epstein — are free to seek federal office; only the states have prohibitions against felon candidates.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for prohibition
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
Managers at various locations have already lifted prohibitions on hunting stands that damage trees and training hunting dogs, using vehicles to retrieve animals and hunting along trails, according to an NPCA review of site regulations the organization recently performed after learning of the order.
—Todd Richmond, Twin Cities, 8 May 2026
The Orange County Board of Supervisors passed a prohibition on the sale, distribution or possession of synthetic kratom products last year.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
Even felons — the Menendez brothers for example, and the late Jeffrey Epstein — are free to seek federal office; only the states have prohibitions against felon candidates.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for prohibition
Cite this Entry
“Prohibition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prohibition. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prohibition
noun
pro·hi·bi·tion
ˌprō-ə-ˈbish-ən
1
: the act of prohibiting
2
: an order forbidding something
3
often capitalized
: the forbidding by law of the sale and manufacture of alcoholic beverages
Legal Definition
prohibition
noun
pro·hi·bi·tion
ˌprō-ə-ˈbi-shən
1
a
: an extraordinary writ issued by a higher court commanding an inferior court to keep within its proper jurisdiction (as by ceasing a prosecution)
b
: an order to refrain or stop
2
a
: something (as a law) that prohibits a certain act or procedure
b
capitalized
: the period from 1920 to 1933 in the U.S. when the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcoholic liquors was prohibited by the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
